Party Leaders
Chair of Central and Executive Committees: Mark E. Owens
Mark E. Owens was appointed Clerk of the Dayton Municipal Court in 1991 and has since been elected to full terms in 1991, 1997 and 2003. He previously served as an assistant Montgomery County Prosecutor until his appointment as Magistrate in the Dayton Municipal Court in 1989.
Mark has served as President of the Southwestern Ohio Municipal Court Clerks Association, and President of the Ohio Association of Municipal Court Clerks. He is a graduate of Wright State University and the University of Dayton School of Law.
In April of 2007, Mark was elected as Chair of the Montgomery County Democratic Party. Prior to his election as Chair, he served as Vice-Chair of the Party and has served in numerous campaign capacities such as being the Ohio Authorized Representative for the Kerry for President Campaign in 2004.
Mark lives in Dayton with his wife Debbie, a dedicated Huber Heights Elementary School Teacher and a leader in the Huber Heights Teacher's Union. Mark and Debbie have raised two adult children.
Central Committee, Vice-Chair: Rhine L. McLin
Dayton native, Mayor Rhine McLin has a long history of active community involvement, which attests to her commitment to public service. She became the first female Mayor of Dayton when she was elected to the City Commission for the term beginning January 7, 2002.
Role: The Central Committee is the "Controlling Committee" of the Democratic Party of Montgomery County. Membership in the MCDP Central Committee shall include all Democratic precinct committee persons who are elected every four years. The Central Committee has the sole authority to endorse candidates for public office and issues which will appear on the ballot.
Executive Committee, Vice Chair: Karl L. Keith
Karl L. Keith was appointed Montgomery County Auditor in December 2000 and elected to a full four-year term in 2002 and again in 2006 when he was the top vote-getter in Montgomery County, garnering over 60 percent of the vote. He brings over 26 years of experience to the position of auditor with an extensive background in public service and finance.
Role: The Executive committee is comprised of various elected and appointed officers and Ward Leaders of the Party. The Executive Committee, under the Chairman's Leadership, is to direct the affairs, funds, and activities of the Montgomery County Democratic Party. The Executive Committee also oversees the Party's various standing and special committees, and may advise and instruct such committees to conduct or study particular activities or projects.